Forest Tree Breeding in Sweden and Other European Countries

The University of Wisconsin in cooperation with the Wisconsin Conservation Department in 1948 began a program of forest tree breeding research. The main objective of the work was to improve the genetic quality of the planting stock going into the state's reforestation program. In order to gain first hand information that would be helpful in the planning of a broad program of forest tree breeding research in Wisconsin, a six months trip was made by the author to Sweden and other European countries in early 1951 to study the methods and objectives of European tree breeders. The following portion of the general report of the trip discusses the various factors relative to the establishment and successful operation of a program of forest tree breeding in Sweden and also mentions briefly some of the work in progress at other stations in Europe.